This morning's successful launch of the Zvezda service module from
Baikonur, Kazakstan marks an important milestone in the development of
the International Space Station. It represents the result of intense
space cooperation between the United States and Russia as part of the
sixteen nation International Space Station consortium. It also
represents the achievement of one of the earliest objectives of the
U.S.-Russia Bi-National Commission's Space Committee. All Americans can
take pride in this exciting accomplishment.

We still face the technical challenge of docking the service module
with the American and Russian components currently in orbit, an event
scheduled to occur within the next two weeks. If the docking is
successful, the key components permitting human habitation of the
station will be in place. Once the International Space Station becomes
fully operational, it promises to deliver enormous benefits to Americans
in the form of increased scientific research and development
opportunities. It will also allow us to expand the horizons of our
understanding of space.

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